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A wildlife reserve that is home to 25 lions and other animals has been threatened by the intense fighting that has rocked Sudan, destroyed the country, and killed hundreds of people.

According to the facility, it lacks electricity to run safety gates around enclosures and is running low on food for the cats, who each need five to ten kilograms (11 to 22 pounds) of meat daily.

On April 15, fighting broke out in Sudan between Abdel Fattah al-army-aligned Burhan’s forces and those of Mohamed Hamdan Daglo, the former deputy and current competitor who is in charge of the potent paramilitary Rapid Support Forces.

In the already one of the poorest countries in the world, the clashes have resulted in more than 400 fatalities, thousands of injuries, and the possibility of further unrest.

The Sudan Animal Rescue Centre issued a statement beginning, “First, may Allah protect Sudan and the people of Sudan,” and warning that the situation at the sanctuary had also become “serious.”

The sanctuary, which is about an hour’s drive southeast of Khartoum and close to a military post that had experienced “deadly clashes on a daily basis,” was no longer staffed permanently, according to the statement.

In addition to 25 lions and other creatures like gazelles, camels, monkeys, hyenas, and birds, the sanctuary also shelters 25 lions.

“We are under tremendous pressure due to the current power outage, and our stocks of food and drink are beginning to run out,” it said, adding that one of its vehicles had been stolen.

The power outage had become “a real threat” because the facility relies on electricity to power equipment for the animal enclosures.

“We therefore appeal to all officials and those with the ability to help with the need to intervene … as soon as possible,” it added in the statement.

Federal Government has started paying government servants’ back pay raise arrears of 40%.

The employees began receiving bank notifications about the arrears on Saturday, April 22, 2023, according to some federal civil personnel.

The arrears arrived accompanying the April 2023 salary, according to a senior state servant who talked to our Ilorin-based journalist under condition of anonymity.

“I received my own arrears today. Some of our other colleagues have also confirmed receipt of their arrears. It came in alongside our April salary.”

Another civil servant who confirmed the development via a chat with our correspondent in Ibadan said, “Yes, it is true. Though I am a teacher with a Federal Government school, I can confirm to you that I received my April 2023 salary alongside my arrears.”

It was previously reported that the administration of President Major General Muhammadu Buhari (retd) had suggested a 40% salary increase for employees as a way to mitigate the effects of the anticipated elimination of gasoline subsidies.

Olajide Oshundun, a spokesman for the Ministry of Labor, Employment, and Productivity, told The PUNCH that all employees, from level 1 to level 17, will be affected by the increase.

Chris Ngige, the minister of labor and employment, revealed earlier in March that the Federal Government had authorized a salary increase for the nation’s federal servants.

He continued by saying that the wage increase had been planned for in the 2023 budget and that it would go into effect on January 1, 2023.

In light of the current economic climate, Ngige described the pay increase as a peculiar allowance for civil servants. It is intended to help government employees fend off the effects of rising inflation, the rising cost of living, and increases in transportation, housing, and electricity tariffs.